The Clean-up station supporting environmental clean-up in Viherlaakso
The Viherlaakso area was cleaned up by volunteers during the spring clean-up event. Representatives of the organising association, the Viherlaaksolaiset residents’ association, Aili Pesonen, Terttu Nurmi, Maritta Immonen and Eero Utunen, were present at the event and shared information about the Viherlaakso Clean-up station.
Volunteer clean-up events are an excellent way to keep your local surroundings tidy. The Clean-up station provides an easy and practical way to make the supplies and tools available, at any time, and to make it easy to tidy the environment in the midst of daily life. Everyone can participate in collecting litter according to their own schedule.
– The idea is that you can collect litter in passing, like when spending time outdoors with children or while out for a walk. In other words, there is no need to arrange volunteer clean-up events separately, says Aili Pesonen from Viherlaaksolaiset ry.
Our shared local environment
The Clean-up station has rubbish bags and litter pickers that residents can borrow freely. In Viherlaakso, the activity is based on the active involvement of volunteers. The maintenance of the Clean-up station has also been simple. While passing by, you can check whether supplies need replenishing. The city takes care of the bag replenishment when you notify, for example, the Urban Environment Customer Service.
– There are already people living here in Viherlaakso who collect litter for their own enjoyment. The Clean-up station makes it easy, as the tools are ready, and thus it becomes easier to take action. Small acts together produce a great impact, summarises Pesonen.
The Clean-up station was introduced late last autumn. However, the initial impression is already positive, even though there is still limited experience. The environment in Viherlaakso is currently perceived as fairly clean.
Suggestions for improvement arise from everyday needs
Based on experiences, requests have also emerged. One of them concerns the size of the rubbish bags. There is also a need for smaller rubbish bags, as not everyone collects large amounts at a time. People would also like dog waste bags to be more accessible than they are now, as well as appropriate bins for them.
The location of the Clean-up station is very important. Based on the feedback received, the stations are well-suited along people’s walking routes, such as near playgrounds. The aim is to make taking care of the environment an easy and visible part of everyday life.
Current locations of Clean-up stations
The Viherlaaksolaiset residents’ association was selected as a maintainer in the Clean-up station application process organised in spring 2025. Last year’s Clean-up station application process granted new stations for five sites in different parts of Espoo. Last autumn, in addition to Tuohisniitty in Viherlaakso, new Clean-up stations were placed on Matinkylä beach, in connection with Keilaniemi Laguuni, in Leppävaara off Comfort Hotel Sello and on the Viisastenpolku trail in Suurpelto next to Lillhemt Park. In Suurpelto, the station has been moved from its previous location near the Angry Birds Park to its current location.
In addition, Espoo already had existing Clean-up stations in the Espoo City Garden in Vanttila, in connection with Café Otsolahti in Tapiola and in connection with Café Mellsten in Haukilahti.
More information about volunteer clean-up events and Clean-up stations